Major Update to DashPVA

.gitignore

@@ -1,6 +1,23 @@
 *.npy
 *.loglogin
 *.cpython*
+*.h5
 visualization_learning
 collector_tests
-unused_files
+unused_files
+test/
+fix.md
+error*.txt
+.venv/
+venv/
+__pycache__/
+*.pyc
+output/
+*.png
+*.csv
+!dummy/*.h5
+dist/
+build/
+.vscode
+*.log
+.continue

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+# What's New in DashPVA
+
+This file tracks the latest changes, features, and improvements in DashPVA.
+
+---
+
+## Latest Changes (January 2026)
+- Workbench now supports loading compressed datasets for smoother analysis and smaller storage footprints. For legacy files, a converter will be provided to update the file structure so compression loads seamlessly.
+
+# Latest Changes (December 2025)
+Merry Christmas
+
+The Post-Analysis Workbench is a unified workspace that turns raw HKL data into an interactive 3D volume. It keeps 1D line profiles, 2D detector slices, and 3D voxel views in sync—select a point in any view and the others update instantly. This makes it easy to confirm peaks, filter noise in real time, and explore crystal symmetry from every angle.
+
+## Latest Changes (November 2025)
+
+### New Features
+- Selective compression support for large HDF5 datasets using Blosc (LZ4), applied only where it provides clear benefits.
+- Compatible file structure for compressed data, ensuring seamless loading via `utils.hdf5_loader.HDF5Loader`.
+
+### Improvements
+- Faster load times and reduced disk footprint for large arrays written to `/entry/data/data`.
+- Graceful handling when compression plugins are unavailable (falls back to uncompressed writes).
+- Clearer loading messages and error reporting during data import.
+
+### Usage
+- Files produced by `compress.py` can be loaded with:
+  - `HDF5Loader.load_h5_to_3d(path)` for points + intensities
+  - `HDF5Loader.load_h5_volume_3d(path)` for volume workflows
+
+
+## Latest Changes (October 2025)
+
+### New Features
+- Launcher: Force-shutdown dialog now lists all running modules with their process IDs (PIDs) for full visibility before termination.
+- HKL Slice 3D Tool: Added a 2D viewer under Tools to quickly inspect any 3D slice in 2D.
+
+### Bug Fixes and Improvements
+- HKL Range Handling: Adjusted HKL index/range bounds and validation in HKL 3D Viewer and HKL 3D Slicer to ensure accurate limits and improved user feedback.
+- Launcher: Enhanced process tracking with clearer status text and contextual enablement of “Shutdown All”.
+
+## Latest Changes (September 2025)
+
+### New Features
+
+#### Command Line Interface (CLI)
+- **NEW**: Introduced unified CLI interface via `dashpva.py`
+  - `python dashpva.py run` - Launch dashpva
+  - `python dashpva.py hkl3d` - Launch HKL 3D Viewer
+  - `python dashpva.py slice3d` - Launch HKL 3D Slicer (standalone mode)
+  - `python dashpva.py detector` - Launch Area Detector Viewer
+  - `python dashpva.py setup` - Run PVA workflow setup (with optional `--sim` flag)
+
+#### 3D Visualization Enhancements
+- **NEW**: HKL 3D Slice Window for interactive 3D point cloud visualization
+- **NEW**: Standalone HKL 3D Slicer mode for offline data analysis
+- **ENHANCED**: Loading indicators for 3D parent slice window data loading
+- **ENHANCED**: Configurable reduction factor before loading data
+- **ENHANCED**: Window disabling during data loading operations
+
+#### Data Loading and Processing
+- **NEW**: HDF5 data loading capabilities
+- **NEW**: Slice extraction and analysis tools
+- **NEW**: Interactive 3D visualization with real-time slicing
+- **ENHANCED**: Improved data caching and processing workflows
+
+#### User Interface Improvements
+- **NEW**: SizeManager for automatic and clean window scaling on resize
+- **ENHANCED**: Area detector viewer now includes SizeManager
+- **IMPROVED**: Replaced old font scaling with SizeManager system
+
+#### 2D Slice viewing in 3d viewer
+View the 3D sliced data in 2d
+
+### Bug Fixes and Improvements
+
+#### Configuration and Setup
+- **FIXED**: PV simulator server size can now be changed through GUI
+- **UPDATED**: CLI setup command changed from `sim` to `setup` for setup dialog
+- **IMPROVED**: Path management for parent directory navigation in area detector
+
+#### Performance and Stability
+- **OPTIMIZED**: Performance improvements for large dataset handling
+- **ENHANCED**: Better memory management for 3D visualization
+- **IMPROVED**: More responsive UI during data loading operations
+
+#### Code Quality
+- **CLEANUP**: Commented out unused LoadDataHandler and PerformanceDialog utilities
+- **REFACTORED**: Improved code organization and structure
+- **ADDED**: Comprehensive .gitignore file for better repository management
+
+---
+
+## How to Use This File
+
+This changelog follows these conventions:
+- New Features: Major new functionality and capabilities
+- Bug Fixes and Improvements: Fixes, optimizations, and enhancements
+- Documentation: Updates to documentation and guides
+- Breaking Changes: Changes that may affect existing workflows
+
+---
+
+## Getting Started with New Features
+
+### Using the New CLI
+```bash
+# Get help on all available commands
+python dashpva.py --help
+
+# Launch different components
+python dashpva.py setup      # Configure the system
+python dashpva.py detector   # Area detector viewer
+python dashpva.py hkl3d      # 3D visualization
+python dashpva.py slice3d    # Standalone 3D slicer
+```
+
+### 3D Visualization
+The new 3D visualization tools support:
+- Interactive point cloud visualization
+- Real-time slicing and analysis
+- HDF5 file loading
+- Performance optimization for large datasets
+
+For detailed instructions, see [RUN_INSTRUCTIONS.md](RUN_INSTRUCTIONS.md).
+
+---
+
+## Previous Versions
+
+*This is the initial version of the What's New file. Future releases will be documented here.*

README.md

@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ DashPVA enables distributed analysis and real-time image streaming using PvaPy a
 ## Getting Started
 Follow the instructions in the [RUN_INSTRUCTIONS.md](RUN_INSTRUCTIONS.md) for setup and usage.
 
+## What's New
+Check out [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) for the latest features, improvements, and changes in DashPVA.
+
 # **FAQ: Area Detector and Data Analysis System**
 
 ### _What is the primary function of the software described in the provided sources?_
@@ -37,4 +40,4 @@ Follow the instructions in the [RUN_INSTRUCTIONS.md](RUN_INSTRUCTIONS.md) for se
 - The software heavily relies on EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) for both data acquisition and control of experiment parameters. It uses Channel Access (CA) for monitoring PVs that specify ROIs. The PVAccess (PVA) library is used to subscribe to detector data, and control PVs, and the metadata associated with the detector are also monitored through EPICS. It also is able to read custom PV names from external configuration files.
 
 ### _What is the workflow for setting up and running an analysis?_
-- The workflow begins by configuring the system using a dialog box, including the prefix for the PVs and the address of the data collector. The user then loads a configuration file defining the PVs to be monitored. The user can define ROIs, and open the analysis window that displays the data, allows setting up scan locations through uploaded .npy files, and gives the ability to save the data into HDF5 files. It is also capable of running both simulated and real data.
+- The workflow begins by configuring the system using a dialog box, including the prefix for the PVs and the address of the data collector. The user then loads a configuration file defining the PVs to be monitored. The user can define ROIs, and open the analysis window that displays the data, allows setting up scan locations through uploaded .npy files, and gives the ability to save the data into HDF5 files. It is also capable of running both simulated and real data.